Publications by authors named "Surang Janyam"

Young transgender women (YTGW) who sell or trade sex have among the highest HIV incidence rates in Thailand. Using qualitative methods, we assessed perceived acceptability, feasibility, and optimal design of a combination HIV prevention intervention including PrEP for YTGW. Key informant interviews were conducted during July 2016-July 2018 with 21 YTGW, aged 18-26 years, who sold sex and resided in Bangkok or Pattaya, Thailand.

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Article Synopsis
  • The COPE study evaluated the effectiveness of daily oral PrEP combined with additional preventive measures for HIV among young transgender women (TGW) and men who have sex with men (MSM) in Thailand.
  • Out of 846 participants, a majority initiated PrEP quickly, with high adherence rates observed; 85.9% were still on PrEP after one year.
  • The study found zero HIV cases among those using PrEP, showcasing its effectiveness compared to a significant incidence rate among those not using it.
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Female sex workers (FSWs) face prevalent violence victimization and alcohol consumption at work, yet the bidirectional pathways between these factors are not well defined. Using cohort data from 232 venue-based FSWs in Pattaya, associations of violence and alcohol use were examined within a time period and prospectively via structural equation models. Within the time period, violence victimization and alcohol use were consistently associated; by contrast, violence was not associated with FSW alcohol use.

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Background: Same-day antiretroviral therapy (SDART) initiation, in which people living with HIV (PLHIV) who are antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naïve, willing, and clinically eligible start ART on the same day of HIV diagnosis, has been implemented in several healthcare facilities in Thailand since 2017. This evidence-based practice has demonstrated increased ART uptake, virologic suppression, and retention in care. However, linkage to care gaps exist in community-based organizations (CBOs) in Bangkok whereby as much as 20% of key populations (KP), mainly men who have sex with men and transgender women, living with HIV were lost to follow-up pre-ART initiation.

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HIV incidence is high and persistent among cisgender men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) who have sex with men, particularly among those who sell or trade sex. In preparation for an open-label combination HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) program for these groups, we conducted formative research to explore the context of sex work/trade and factors that affect implementation of PrEP interventions. This study analyzed interviews with 20 young (aged 18-26 years) MSM and TGW who sell/trade sex and three sex work venue managers in Bangkok and Pattaya, Thailand.

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Purpose: To examine how recent sex work is identified and the HIV risk factors and service needs among Thai cisgender men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) who exchange sex.

Methods: MSM and TGW in Bangkok and Pattaya who exchanged sex in the last year (n = 890) were recruited through social media, outreach, and word-of-mouth. Recent sex exchange was based on the primary question, "In the last 30 days, have you sold or traded sex"; secondary questions (regarding income source and client encounters) were also investigated.

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The Government of Thailand was prompt to launch social and economic measures to mitigate the effects on the general population following lockdown measures to counter coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, sex workers were one of the vulnerable groups who were unable to access state support. A rapid survey of sex workers in Thailand showed that almost all had become unemployed and lost their income as a consequence of the lockdown, restrictions on international flights into the country and the closure of entertainment venues.

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Introduction: Strategies are needed to curb the increasing HIV incidence in young men who have sex with men (YMSM) and transgender women (YTGW) worldwide. We assessed the impact of youth-friendly services (YFS) and a mobile phone application (app) on adherence to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in YMSM and YTGW in Thailand.

Methods: A randomized control trial was conducted in YMSM and YTGW aged 15 to 19 years.

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Purpose Of Review: Globally, "undetectable equals untransmittable (U=U)" and "pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)" have become crucial elements in HIV treatment and prevention programs. We reviewed the implementation of U=U and PrEP among countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

Recent Findings: U=U and PrEP uptakes were limited and slow in the Asia-Pacific.

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Men who have sex with men (MSM) and Transgender Women (TGW) in Thailand contribute to more than half of all new HIV infections annually. This cross-sectional study describes epidemiologic profiles of these key populations (KP) in Key Population-led Test and Treat study. Baseline data were collected using self-administered questionnaires and HIV/STI testing from MSM and TGW aged ≥18 years enrolled in a cohort study in six community sites in Thailand between October 2015 and February 2016.

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Background: HIV prevalence among Thai men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TG) are 9.15% and 11.8%, respectively, compared with 1.

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Introduction: PrEP awareness and uptake among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TG) in Thailand remains low. Finding ways to increase HIV testing and PrEP uptake among high-risk groups is a critical priority. This study evaluates the effect of a novel Adam's Love Online-to-Offline (O2O) model on PrEP and HIV testing uptake among Thai MSM and TG and identifies factors associated with PrEP uptake.

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Introduction: HIV epidemics in the Asia-Pacific region are concentrated among men who have sex with men (MSM) and other key populations. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective HIV prevention intervention and could be a potential game changer in the region. We discuss the progress towards PrEP implementation in the Asia-Pacific region, including opportunities and barriers.

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Background: The trafficking of women and girls for sexual exploitation is an internationally recognised form of gender-based violence, and is thought to confer unique sexual and reproductive health vulnerabilities. To date, little research has compared sexual risk or health outcomes among female sex workers (FSWs) on the basis of experiences of sex trafficking.

Aim: To compare experiences of sexual risk and sexual and reproductive health outcomes among FSWs on the basis of experiences of trafficking as an entry mechanism to sex work.

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Background/objectives: Commercial sex work is a primary context for heterosexual HIV/AIDS transmission. Violence victimisation is considered to compromise women's ability to protect against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI); little research has investigated violence as it relates to sexual risk and STI among female sex workers (FSW). This study sought to compare sexual risk and STI symptoms among FSW based on recent violence exposure.

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